SAHRC to investigate delays in cancer treatment
The SA Human Rights Commission is set to investigate why there are delays in cancer patients receiving cancer radiotherapy from the KwaZulu-Natal health department.
The decision follows a complaint lodged with the SAHRC by the Democratic Alliance’s health spokesman Dr Imran Keeka over the department’s failure to keep cancer radiotherapy machines operating as well as CT scanners.
A letter dated May 7 sent to Keeka reads: “This letter serves to confirm that your complaint falls within the mandate of the South African Human Rights Commission and will be investigated”.
Keeka confirmed the probe was initiated by a letter the DA wrote to the SAHRC following numerous complaints about broken CT scanners and Radiotherapy machines.
The anomaly led to some newly diagnosed patients waiting as long as 18 months for treatment. “This is in direct contravention of Section 184 of the Constitution of the Republic.”
Keeka said two state-of-the-art cancer radiotherapy machines worth R120 million at Durban’s Addington Hospital have not been fully operational since 2014.
“According to our sources, one machine is now back online. However, we are not convinced that it will work according to specification since the company awarded the contract is not authorised by the manufacturer,” said Keeka.
“Under these circumstances, proper patient care cannot be guaranteed and radiation doses are worrying – it is like taking a racing car to a backyard mechanic.”